Rosa multiflora Bleu Magenta - Climbing Rose

The Bleu Magenta multiflora rose has the richest and deepest colour in the category of 'purple' roses. It is a climbing plant with moderate growth and a flexible habit, and its well-double roses change colour throughout their flowering, adopting a beautiful palette of deep red-purple, dark magenta, bluish-violet, and slate mauve, randomly dotted with small white spots. Its almost prickle-free branches bear beautiful shiny dark green foliage. It blooms in early summer, in bouquets distributed along the length of the stems, with a light fragrance.

This ancient climbing rose Bleu Magenta is a variety of unknown origin dating back to 1900. It was awarded the AGM (Award of Garden Merit) in England in 1994. This hybrid belongs to the Rosa x multiflora family. It naturally has a flexible and natural habit. Ultimately, the plant will reach an average height of 4m (13ft) with a spread of 2.5m (8.20ft). Its long stems are flexible, with very few prickles, and abundantly adorned with shiny foliage composed of large bright green leaflets. It can be somewhat susceptible to powdery mildew in dry and hot conditions. The flowers of this climber develop abundantly in June-July, gathered in clusters of 10 to 30, they emerge from short shoots of the 2nd year as small pointed dark pink buds. They open up into double rosettes, 4-5cm (2in) in diameter, formed by multiple small velvety and undulate petals. The roses in the clusters, at different stages of ripening, have different shades, creating a sumptuous gradient on the plant. At full bloom, they reveal a heart of golden stamens. After pollination, the roses give way to numerous small fruits that turn reddish-orange in autumn. They are decorative and highly sought after by some birds. The deciduous foliage is absent in winter.

'Bleu Magenta' is a very attractive climbing rose, endowed with a rare colour. Like other large roses, such as 'Sourire d'Orchidée' or 'Seven Sisters' with which it harmonizes so well, it is incomparable in giving a touch of abandon planted above any overly strict flowerbeds. It is an ideal companion for an old fruit tree, a small pillar, and sheds to which it adds a charming touch. Trained on an arch, near the terrace, it will create a poetic and gently scented passage. It can be paired with a clematis with large flowers in shades of purple, violet, blue, or pure white, their flowers blending perfectly.